Acoustically settled liquid-liquid sample purification system

Abstract

A sample purification system includes a container assembly bounding a sample purification compartment and having an upper end and an opposing lower end, the sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones. A plurality of shielding elements are positioned within the sample purification compartment so as to at least partially separate adjacent mixing zones and settling zones or separate adjacent mixing zones, the mixing zones being in fluid communication with the settling zones. A mixing element is disposed within each mixing zone. An acoustic wave settler is aligned with a portion of the container assembly, the acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave through the portion of the container assembly and a mixture disposed therein, the acoustic wave coalescing fluid phase droplets disposed in the mixture to increase the buoyancy or density of the fluid phase droplets.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sample purification system comprising:
 a container assembly bounding a sample purification compartment and having an upper end and an opposing lower end, the sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones, the container assembly further comprising a first inlet and a first outlet disposed at one of the upper end and the lower end of the sample purification compartment and a second inlet and a second outlet disposed at the other of the upper end and the lower end of the sample purification compartment, the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets being in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment; 
 a plurality of shielding elements positioned within the sample purification compartment so as to at least partially separate adjacent mixing zones and settling zones or separate adjacent mixing zones, the mixing zones being in fluid communication with the settling zones; 
 means for mixing a liquid in each of the mixing zones; and 
 a first acoustic wave settler aligned with a portion of the container assembly, the first acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave. 
 
     
     
       2. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mixing comprises one or more mixing members selected from the group consisting of a rotating member, an oscillating member, a vibrating member, a stirring member, a shaking member, or a sonicating member. 
     
     
       3. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mixing comprises:
 a mixing element disposed within each of the mixing zones, or 
 a mixing element disposed within each of the mixing zones and a drive shaft coupled with each of the mixing elements and rotatably extending through at least one of the plurality of shielding elements. 
 
     
     
       4. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mixing zones and settling zones includes at least 2 mixing zones and at least 3 settling zones. 
     
     
       5. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing zones and settling zones alternate in vertical alignment. 
     
     
       6. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein there is no mixing element within the settling zones. 
     
     
       7. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first acoustic wave settler is disposed directly against the container assembly. 
     
     
       8. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first acoustic wave settler is coupled to the container assembly. 
     
     
       9. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first acoustic wave settler comprise a first acoustic wave transducer disposed on one side of the container assembly and a first acoustic wave reflector disposed on an opposing side of the container assembly in alignment with the first acoustic wave transducer. 
     
     
       10. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first acoustic wave settler comprise a first acoustic wave transducer disposed on one side of the container assembly, the first acoustic wave transducer being configured to sense one or more properties of an acoustic wave produced thereby. 
     
     
       11. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container assembly further comprises an acoustic settling loop in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment, the first acoustic wave settler being aligned with the acoustic settling loop. 
     
     
       12. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein opposing ends of the acoustic settling loop are in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment such that a fluid can flow from the sample purification compartment, through the acoustic settling loop, and back into the sample purification compartment. 
     
     
       13. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the container assembly further comprises a third inlet and a third outlet in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment, the acoustic settling loop being fluid coupled with the third inlet and the third outlet. 
     
     
       14. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic settling loop is fluid coupled with the second inlet and the second outlet. 
     
     
       15. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic settling loop comprises a fluid conduit, the first acoustic wave settler being disposed about a portion of the fluid conduit. 
     
     
       16. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a fluid pump adapted to pass fluid through the acoustic settling loop. 
     
     
       17. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic settling loop comprises a first acoustic settling loop, the system further comprising a second acoustic settling loop in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment, a second acoustic wave settler being aligned with the second acoustic settling loop. 
     
     
       18. The sample purification system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first acoustic settling loop is fluidly connected to a lowermost settling zone and the second acoustic settling loop is fluidly connected to an uppermost settling zone. 
     
     
       19. A sample purification system, comprising:
 a sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones; 
 means for mixing a liquid in each of the mixing zones; and 
 an acoustic settling loop in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment; and 
 a first acoustic wave settler aligned with the acoustic settling loop, the first acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave. 
 
     
     
       20. A sample purification system, comprising:
 a container assembly bounding a sample purification compartment, the sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones, the mixing zones being in fluid communication with the settling zones; 
 a plurality of shielding elements positioned within the sample purification compartment so as to at least partially separate adjacent mixing zones and settling zones; 
 means for mixing a liquid in each of the mixing zones; and 
 an acoustic settling loop comprising a conduit having opposing ends in fluid communication with the sample purification compartment; and 
 a first acoustic wave settler aligned with the acoustic settling loop, the first acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave.